Details

“Decentralization and Deconcentration in Cambodia -

Towards the Organic Laws”

Draft Seminar Program for the Inter-Ministerial Committee

June 15, 2006

The Royal Government of Cambodia envisages passing organic laws in the present legislature. These organic laws will be the legal basis for the implementation of the Decentralization and Deconcentration Strategy (D + D) of the Royal Government. It is a major element for the reform and modernization of the Cambodian sate.

This task – in Cambodia like in other countries undertaking similar reforms - will be confronted with strategic, political and technical challenges. With a view to anticipating some of the challenges and to facilitate the process, Members of the Council of Ministers and the Inter-Ministerial Commission for the Drafting of the Organic Laws are invited to a seminar that is intended to put the challenges into perspective. The main purposes of the seminars are to raise awareness about dimensions of D + D and thereby to increase the general competence to evaluate it. It is not intended to discuss the actual draft organic laws.

8.00 a.m.Arrival of participants, registration

8.30 a.m. Welcome Remarks

Wolfgang Meyer, Konrad Adenauer Foundation

8.35 a.m.Opening Speech

“Objectives and outline of the Strategic Framework for Decentralization and Deconcentration (D + D)”

H. E. Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior

9.05 a.m.Coffee break

9.20 a.m. "Challenges of the work of the Inter-Ministerial Commission for the Formulation of Draft Organic Laws"

H.E. Prum Sokha, Secretary of State, Ministry of Interior

10.30 a.m.“Principles and components of D + D Part 1”

-Subsidiarity

-Diversity with unity

-Tasks – Reasons for attributing specific tasks to a particular level of administration

Mr. Berhard Kaster MdB (60 minutes + 30 minutes q + a)

12.00 noonLunch break

2.00 p.m.“Principles and components of D + D Part 2”

-Relations between the tiers

oclear separation or sharing of decision-making

oclear separation or sharing of executive functions

oclear separation or sharing of finances

ocontrol and supervision

-Autonomy rights: decision-making, planning, finance, personnel

-Legal and substantive control and supervision

-Parliaments and/or (legislative or consultative) councils at sub-national level

Mr. Peter Weiß MdB (60 minutes + 30 minutes q + a)

3.30 p.m.Coffee break

3.45 p.m.Panel discussion

“Challenges in passing the organic laws in Cambodia”

H. E. Ngo Hong Ly, Secretary General, Council of Administrative Reform, Council of Ministers

H. E. NN, Ministry of Economy and Finance

Mr. Berhard Kaster MdB

Mr. Peter Weiß MdB

Moderator: H.E. Sak Setha, General Director of the Department of General Administration, Ministry of Interior

4.45 p.m.Closing Remarks

H. E. Sar Keng, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior

5.00 p.m.End of program